
PNP’S R-PSB program benefits 3K N. Samar residents
OVER 3,000 residents of Palapag, Northern Samar were treated to a free medical and dental consultation and haircut last week amid the ongoing Revitalized-Pulis sa Barangay (R-PSB) program of the Philippine National Police in the province aimed at regaining the support of the local populace in the fight against communist insurgency, the Journal Group learned yesterday.
The free medical, dental, optical and Operation: Tuli program was launched by R-PSB personnel in 31 barangays in Palapag municipality under the supervision of the PNP Directorate for Police-Community Relations headed by Maj. Gen. Edgar Alan O. Okubo.
The official and the president of Donate Philippines, Myrna J. Reyes, attended the medical and dental services in the province.
Okubo said the program benefited a total of 3,114 Palapag residents who availed of the free medical consultation, tooth extraction, free circumcision, ear piercing and haircut.
The residents also received free vitamins and other medicines, as well as eyeglasses, loot bags, brand-new slippers and shoes, clothes and blankets. Porridge were also served to the residents during the program.
An estimated P1.758 million worth of services and goods were provided to the local residents without any government funds involved, said Okubo, who cited the help they received from Donate Philippines and the Patrol Partylist group in their latest program.
A total of 1,787 PNP personnel who have already finished an R-PSB training are now deployed in former New People’s Army “hotbeds” in the countryside, with a mission to prevent the rebels from regaining the people’s support in these poor communities, the Journal Group learned.
According to Okubo, the 1,787 policemen underwent a training from their R-PSB Team during the 3rd quarter of the year and were equipped with the knowledge to fully support the Armed Forces of the Philippines in clearing communist insurgency in Samar and Bicol regions as ordered by PNP chief Gen. Benjamin C. Acorda Jr..
Okubo said the “mission areas” were determined by the PNP, in collaboration with the Regional Peace and Order Councils and Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Councils. who are now fully supporting the R-PSB program of the police force.
“Regular summing-ups will be on schedule together with the Local Government Units and stakeholders to ensure success of the R-PSB team deployment, address discovered issues and ensure the success of the program,” the official said.
The R-PSB personnel include those deployed in Bicol and Northern Samar where they are mingling with the “poorest of the poor” to know their grievances and help provide them with means that will alleviate their poor condition such as the construction of small farm-to-market roads, schools and potable water and lighting systems with the help of different government agencies.
Since August 15, over 500 R-PSB personnel followed by another 365 policemen were deployed to GIDAS areas in Northern Samar.